Az I See It....
The '24th Annual Operation Freedom Bird - A Healing Journey' is in the bag, and it was another exhilarating and otherwise emotional event. For those who do not know what OFB is, it is a program created by the Arizona Vet Centers, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, and supported by the friends and families of U.S. military veterans who have experienced difficulties, since their return from combat in the Viet Nam, Iraqi and Afghanistan wars - more than 1,100 since its inception!
The vets are counseled intensively, culminating in their return to the Viet Nam Memorial, in Washington, D.C., marching in the Annual Veteran's Day Parade, and triumphantly returning to Phoenix Sky Harbor to the tumultuous 'Welcome Home' from friends, family, and community dignitaries, which for most is a first-time experience.
This year, several hundred supporters filled the Southwest Airlines Maintenance Hangar, as Jesse McGuire performed his superb renditions of our National Anthem, to open the ceremonies(9th time), and TAPS to close them. Southwest employee Scott Worth belted out Lee Greenwood's 'Proud to be an American' for the 6th time, as many wept in approval.
Thank you, to all at Southwest Airlines, especially Jackie Thompson, and to Pat Lynch(OFB founder), and his main volunteers, ie, Joe Little, Ted Murphree, and so many others, and to Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando, whose support is integral for this event to be successful.
For information on how you can become involved, or to contribute to Operation Freedom Bird, log-on to: www.operationfreedombird.org And, again, thank you - to every U.S. military service person, past and present!
The vets are counseled intensively, culminating in their return to the Viet Nam Memorial, in Washington, D.C., marching in the Annual Veteran's Day Parade, and triumphantly returning to Phoenix Sky Harbor to the tumultuous 'Welcome Home' from friends, family, and community dignitaries, which for most is a first-time experience.
This year, several hundred supporters filled the Southwest Airlines Maintenance Hangar, as Jesse McGuire performed his superb renditions of our National Anthem, to open the ceremonies(9th time), and TAPS to close them. Southwest employee Scott Worth belted out Lee Greenwood's 'Proud to be an American' for the 6th time, as many wept in approval.
Thank you, to all at Southwest Airlines, especially Jackie Thompson, and to Pat Lynch(OFB founder), and his main volunteers, ie, Joe Little, Ted Murphree, and so many others, and to Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando, whose support is integral for this event to be successful.
For information on how you can become involved, or to contribute to Operation Freedom Bird, log-on to: www.operationfreedombird.org And, again, thank you - to every U.S. military service person, past and present!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, ARKY. YOU'RE A GREAT FATHER.
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